Methods and apparatuses for automatic object heading determinations

ABSTRACT

Method, apparatuses, and computer program products for automatically tracking a heading of an object. An example method comprising receiving, one or more internal measurement values which pertain to an object; determining an internal heading uncertainty value for each internal measurement value of the one or more internal measurement values; generating, using a probabilistic heading model, an estimated heading data object for the object based at least in part on the one or more internal measurement values; and providing the estimated heading data object to one or more associated user devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/468,399, filed Sep. 7, 2021, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Heading tracking solutions may be used for various applications, such asfor vehicle tracking, asset tracking, navigation, logical geofencing,and the like. Such location tracking solutions may be used to determinean object heading such that the direction the object is traveling may bedetermined. Conventionally, heading tracking technologies, such asglobal positioning system (GPS) signaling, may be used to determine theheading of a tracked object.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various embodiments described herein relate to methods, apparatuses, andsystems for automatically track a heading of an object.

In accordance with various examples of the present disclosure, a method,apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for automaticallytracking a heading of an object. In this regard, the method, apparatusand computer program product are configured to generate an estimatedheading data object based at least in part on one or more receivedinternal measurement values. The estimated heading data object may beprovided to one or more associated user devices.

In an example embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving,using one or more processors, one or more internal measurement valueswhich pertain to an object, wherein each internal measurement valuecorresponds to a particular time point and wherein the one or moreinternal measurement values are measured by an inertial measurement unitassociated with the object. The method further includes determining,using the one or more processors, an internal heading uncertainty valuefor each internal measurement value of the one or more internalmeasurement values. The method further includes generating, using theone or more processors and a probabilistic heading model, an estimatedheading data object for the object based at least in part on the one ormore internal measurement values, wherein the estimated heading dataobject describes one or more estimated heading values for the object.The method further includes providing, using the one or more processors,the estimated heading data object to one or more associated userdevices.

In some example embodiments, the method further includes receiving,using one or more processors, one or more satellite navigation locationvalues for the object, wherein each satellite navigation location valuecorresponds to a particular time point. The method may further includedetermining, using the one or more processors, a satellite navigationlocation uncertainty value for each satellite navigation location value.In some embodiments, the estimated heading data object for the object isbased at least in part on the one or more internal measurement valuesand one or more satellite navigation location values. In someembodiments, each global positioning uncertainty value is based at leastin part on the time duration between two or more received satellitenavigation location values.

In some embodiments, the internal heading uncertainty value is based atleast in part on the time duration between two or more determinedinternal measurement values. In some embodiments, the estimated headingdata object further describes one or more estimated location uncertaintyvalues for one or more of the one or more estimated heading values.

In some example embodiments, the method further includes detecting,using the one or more processors, an error event. The method may furtherinclude in response to the detection of the error event, generating,using the one or more processors, a heading error data object. In someembodiments, the error event is detected in response to a determinationthat the estimated heading data object fails to satisfy one or moreestimated heading threshold values.

In some example embodiments, the method further includes receiving, fromone or more locator units, one or more locator location values for theobject. The method may further include determining, using the one ormore processors, a locator location uncertainty value for each locatorlocation value. In some embodiments, generating the estimated headingdata object for the object is based at least in part on the one or moreinternal measurement values and one or more locator location values.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided wherein the apparatuscomprising at least one processing component configured to receive oneor more internal measurement values which pertain to an object, whereineach internal measurement value corresponds to a particular time pointand wherein the one or more internal measurement values are measured byan inertial measurement unit associated with the object. The at leastone processing component is further configured to determine an internalheading uncertainty value for each internal measurement value of the oneor more internal measurement values. The at least one processingcomponent is further configured to generate, using a probabilisticheading model, an estimated heading data object for the object based atleast in part on the one or more internal measurement values, whereinthe estimated heading data object describes one or more estimatedheading values for the object. The at least one processing component isfurther configured to provide the estimated heading data object to oneor more associated user devices.

In some example embodiments, the at least one processing component isfurther configured to receive one or more satellite navigation locationvalues for the object, wherein each satellite navigation location valuecorresponds to a particular time point. The at least one processingcomponent may further be configured to determine a satellite navigationlocation uncertainty value for each satellite navigation location value.In some embodiments, the estimated heading data object for the object isbased at least in part on the one or more internal measurement valuesand one or more satellite navigation location values. In someembodiments, each global positioning uncertainty value is based at leastin part on the time duration between two or more received satellitenavigation location values.

In some embodiments, the internal heading uncertainty value is based atleast in part on the time duration between two or more determinedinternal measurement values. In some embodiments, the estimated headingdata object further describes one or more estimated location uncertaintyvalues for one or more of the one or more estimated heading values.

In some example embodiments, the at least one processing component isfurther configured to detect an error event. The at least one processingcomponent is further configured to, in response to the detection of theerror event, generate a heading error data object. In some embodiments,the error event is detected in response to a determination that theestimated heading data object fails to satisfy one or more estimatedheading threshold values.

In some example embodiments, the at least one processing component isfurther configured to receive, from one or more locator units, one ormore locator location values for the object. The at least one processingcomponent is further configured to determine a locator locationuncertainty value for each locator location value. In some embodiments,generating the estimated heading data object for the object is based atleast in part on the one or more internal measurement values and one ormore locator location values.

In accordance with various examples of the present disclosure, acomputer program product is provided. The computer-program comprising atleast one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-readable program code portions stored therein, thecomputer-readable program code portions configured, upon execution, toreceive one or more internal measurement values which pertain to anobject, wherein each internal measurement value corresponds to aparticular time point and wherein the one or more internal measurementvalues are measured by an inertial measurement unit associated with theobject. The computer-readable program code portions are furtherconfigured to determine an internal heading uncertainty value for eachinternal measurement value of the one or more internal measurementvalues. The computer-readable program code portions are furtherconfigured to generate, using a probabilistic heading model, anestimated heading data object for the object based at least in part onthe one or more internal measurement values, wherein the estimatedheading data object describes one or more estimated heading values forthe object. The computer-readable program code portions are furtherconfigured to provide the estimated heading data object to one or moreassociated user devices.

In some example embodiments, the computer-readable program code portionsare further configured to receive one or more satellite navigationlocation values for the object, wherein each satellite navigationlocation value corresponds to a particular time point. Thecomputer-readable program code portions are further configured todetermine a satellite navigation location uncertainty value for eachsatellite navigation location value. In some embodiments, the estimatedheading data object for the object is based at least in part on the oneor more internal measurement values and one or more satellite navigationlocation values. In some embodiments, each global positioninguncertainty value is based at least in part on the time duration betweentwo or more received satellite navigation location values.

In some embodiments, the internal heading uncertainty value is based atleast in part on the time duration between two or more determinedinternal measurement values. In some embodiments, the estimated headingdata object further describes one or more estimated location uncertaintyvalues for one or more of the one or more estimated heading values.

In some example embodiments, computer-readable program code portions arefurther configured to detect an error event. The computer-readableprogram code portions are further configured to, in response to thedetection of the error event, generate a heading error data object. Insome embodiments, the error event is detected in response to adetermination that the estimated heading data object fails to satisfyone or more estimated heading threshold values.

In some example embodiments, the computer-readable program code portionsare further configured to receive, from one or more locator units, oneor more locator location values for the object. The computer-readableprogram code portions are further configured to determine a locatorlocation uncertainty value for each locator location value. In someembodiments, generating the estimated heading data object for the objectis based at least in part on the one or more internal measurement valuesand one or more locator location values.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplaryobjectives and/or advantages of the disclosure, and the manner in whichthe same are accomplished, are further explained in the followingdetailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of the illustrative embodiments may be read inconjunction with the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated that,for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in thefigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale, unless describedotherwise. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may beexaggerated relative to other elements, unless described otherwise.Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are shownand described with respect to the figures presented herein, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment in which an object may operateand in which a heading determining system may be used in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example apparatus in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example apparatus in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram representing an example process generatingan estimated heading data object in accordance with various embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram representing an example process receivingone or more satellite navigation location values for a vehicle inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram representing an example process receivingone or more locator location values for a vehicle in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichsome, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, thesedisclosures may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The components illustrated in the figures represent components that mayor may not be present in various embodiments of the present disclosuredescribed herein such that embodiments may include fewer or morecomponents than those shown in the figures while not departing from thescope of the present disclosure. Some components may be omitted from oneor more figures or shown in dashed line for visibility of the underlyingcomponents.

The phrases “in an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “variousembodiments,” and the like generally mean that the particular feature,structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure, and may be included inmore than one embodiment of the present disclosure (importantly, suchphrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment).

The word “example” or “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as anexample, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described hereinas “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations.

If the specification states a component or feature “may,” “can,”“could,” “should,” “would,” “preferably,” “possibly,” “typically,”“optionally,” “for example,” “often,” or “might” (or other suchlanguage) be included or have a characteristic, that a specificcomponent or feature is not required to be included or to have thecharacteristic. Such components or features may be optionally includedin some embodiments, or may be excluded.

The term “electronically coupled” or “in electronic communication with”in the present disclosure refer to two or more electrical elements (forexample, but not limited to, a computational platform, predictive dataanalysis system, sensing unit, warehouse management system, and controlunit) and/or electric circuit(s) being connected through wired means(for example but not limited to, conductive wires or traces) and/orwireless means (for example but not limited to, wireless network,electromagnetic field), such that data and/or information (for example,electronic indications, signals) may be transmitted to and/or receivedfrom the electrical elements and/or electric circuit(s) that areelectronically coupled.

Location tracking solutions may be used for various applications, suchas for vehicle tracking, asset tracking, navigation, logical geofencing,and the like. Common location tracking solutions may include GPSsignaling or other navigation satellite system data signaling todetermine the location of a particular object, such as a vehicleconfigured with a receiver capable of receiving navigation satellitesignals. Such navigation satellite signaling may be used to make variousdeterminations about the object, such as the location of the object andover time, object heading, acceleration, speed, etc.

However, such navigation satellite signaling may not always bedependable or reliable, particularly within certain environments, suchas environments which contain a plurality of objects which interferewith navigation satellite signaling. For example, a city containing manytall buildings may interfere with an object receiving GPS signaling. Asanother example, an area that is densely populated with interferingobjects, such as solar cells on a solar cell farm, may also interferewith an object receiving GPS signaling. Such interference withnavigation satellite signaling may make determining the location of theobject within such environments difficult and/or inaccurate.Furthermore, navigation satellite signaling is limited to the provisionof two-dimensional coordinates for the object. However, often objectsmay navigate terrains which experience frequent changes in elevationand/or have multiple levels elevation tiers, such as a parking ramp.

As such, it may be beneficial, in some examples, to automatically tracka heading of object based at least in part one or more internalmeasurement values as received from an inertial measurement unit of theobject. A probabilistic heading model may process the one or moreinternal measurement values and generate an estimated heading dataobject for the object, indicative of an estimated heading value for theobject. The one or more internal measurement values may be obtained inreal-time or near real-time such that the one or more estimated headingvalues described by the estimated heading data object reflect anup-to-date and accurate object heading determinations. To that end, thepresent disclosure, in some examples, provides a method, apparatus, andcomputer program product for automatically tracking a heading of anobject using one or more internal measurement values. In someembodiments, one or more satellite navigation location values may alsobe processed by the probabilistic heading model to generate theestimated heading data object for object. In some embodiments, one ormore locator location values may also be processed by the probabilisticheading model to generate the estimated heading data object for object.

FIG. 1 depicts an example environment 100 in which a heading determiningsystem may be used. In some embodiments, an object 101 and objectheading determination system computing entity 200 may be configured tocommunicate over a communication network (not shown). The communicationnetwork may include any wired or wireless communication networkincluding, for example, a wired or wireless local area network (LAN),personal area network (PAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide areanetwork (WAN), or the like, as well as any hardware, software and/orfirmware required to implement it (such as, e.g., network routers,and/or the like). The object 101 may be configured with an onboardcomputing device capable of transmitting and/or receiving signalsto/from an object heading determination system computing entity 200. Thecommunication network may also enable communication between the object101, object heading determination system computing entity 200, and oneor more locator units 115 a and 115 b.

The object heading determination system computing entity 200 maycomprise any number of one or more computers, computing entities,desktops, mobile phones, tablets, phablets, notebooks, laptops,distributed systems, kiosks, input terminals, servers or servernetworks, blades, gateways, switches, processing devices, processingentities, set-top boxes, relays, routers, network access points, basestations, the like, and/or any combination of devices or entities. Insome embodiments, the object heading determination system computingentity may be configured to perform one or more steps/operationsassociated with automatically tracking a heading of object 101.

An object 101 may be any object that is configured with an inertialmeasurement unit (IMU) 105. In some embodiments, the object 101 may be avehicle such as a car, drone, aircraft, nautical vessel, lawn mower,and/or the like. The IMU 105 of object 101 may be positioned anywhere onor within the object 101 such that it is capable of detecting changes inlocation, acceleration, orientation, and/or the like for the object 101.The IMU 105 may also be initialized with regard to a reference axis. Forexample, each rotation angles of an associated set of rotation anglesmay be initialized at 0 with respect to a particular orientation. Inparticular, an x-axis rotation angle, y-axis rotation angle, and z-axisrotation angle, which may be denoted by a (x,y,z) format, may each beinitialized to (0,0,0) at a period when the object is positioned on asubstantially planar surface. As such, the IMU 105 associated with theobject 101 may detect changes in orientation in each desired axis (i.e.x-axis, y-axis, and/or z-axis). The measurements determined by the IMU105 may be provided to one or more computing entities, such as an objectheading determination system computing entity 200, and may serve as theone or more internal measurement values for the object 101.

In addition to the IMU 105 measurements, in some embodiments, the object101 may be configured to receive navigational satellite signals 120 froma satellite 110. In some embodiments, an object 101 may include a globalnavigation satellite system (GNSS) or other satellite receiver forreceiving GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, Compass or other navigationsatellite signals. In some embodiments, the object 101 may be configuredto only receive navigational satellite signals 120 periodically,semi-periodically, and/or on-demand. The object 101 may be configured toprovide one or more satellite navigation system location values to theobject heading determination system computing entity 200. Through thecontrolled provision of navigational satellite signaling, computationalresources for the object and/or an object heading determination systemcomputing entity 200 may be conserved.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the object 101 may be configured witha transmitter and/or receiver to receive and/or transmit cellularsignals, Wi-Fi signals, Bluetooth signals, UWB, NB-IoT, or other radiofrequency (RF) signals. Such signals may be transmitted and/or receivedby one or more locator units, such as 115 a-b. Additionally oralternatively, optical signaling and/or acoustic signaling may be used.Similarly, the one or more locator units 115 a and/or 115 b may beconfigured with a transmitter and/or receiver to receive and/or transmitcellular signals, Wi-Fi signals, Bluetooth signals, UWB, NB-IoT, orother radio frequency (RF) signals. In some embodiments, the object 101may transmit a single signal to the locator unit 115 a and/or 115 b. Insome embodiments, the object 101 may be configured to simultaneouslytransmit a plurality of signals to the locator unit 115 a and/or 115 b.In some embodiments, the locator unit 115 a and/or 115 b may transmit asingle signal and/or plurality of signals to the object 101.

Each locator unit of the one or more locator units may be associatedwith a particular placement location. The placement location may beindicated in a variety of ways, such as by a set of coordinates whichcorresponds to each locator unit. Furthermore, each locator unit may beassociated with a proximity range, within which it may transmit and/orreceive signals from object 101. As such, if an object 101 is detectedby a particular locator unit with a known location and proximity range,the location of the object 101 may be narrowed to within the proximityrange associated with the locator unit 115 a and/or 115 b. Furthermore,the granularity with which the object 101 is able to detected may becontrolled by the number of locator units within a particular area. Forexample, the object 101 may be detected by locator unit 115 a when itenters into a proximity range of locator unit 115 a. As such, thelocation of the object 101 is determined to be within the proximityrange of locator unit 115 a. In an instance the object 101 is alsodetected by the locator unit 115 b, the location of the object 101 maybe refined to be within an area which the proximity ranges of locatorunit 115 a and 115 b overlap.

In some embodiments an elevation angle and azimuthal angle may bedetermined between the object 101 and the one or more locator unitsbased at least in part on an angle of arrival (AOA) and/or angle ofdeparture (AOD). The elevation angle may be indicative of the height ofthe object relative to a particular reference point and the azimuthalangle direction of the object 101 relative to a reference point. In someembodiments, the location of the object may be determined based at leastin part on the one or more elevation angles and/or one or more azimuthalangles as determined based at least in part on the AOA and/or AOD.

The associated placement location and range for each locator unit of theone or more locator units may be stored in an associated memory of theobject heading determination system computing entity 200. Furthermore,the one or more locator units 115 a and 115 b may be communicativelycoupled to the object heading determination system computing entity 200such that the locator units 115 a and 115 b may provide the objectheading determination system computing entity 200 with one or morelocator location values.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer entity 200, operable to execute the functions and operationsperformed in the described example embodiments. For example, a computingdevice (e.g. an object heading determination system computing entity)may contain components as described in FIG. 2 . The computing entity 200can provide networking and communication capabilities between a wired orwireless communication network and a server and/or communication device.In order to provide additional context for various aspects thereof, thefollowing discussion are intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of a suitable computing environment in which the variousaspects of the embodiments can be implemented to facilitate theestablishment of a transaction between an entity and a third party.While the description above is in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computingentities, those skilled in the art will recognize that the variousembodiments also can be implemented in combination with other programmodules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the various embodiments can also be practicedin distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performedby remote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, whichtwo terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.

Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computing entity and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

Communications media can embody computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data ina data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave orother transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery ortransport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way ofexample, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference to FIG. 2 , implementing various aspects described hereinwith regards to the end-user device can include a computing entity 200,the computing entity 200 including a processing unit 204, a systemmemory 206 and a system bus 208. The system bus 208 couples systemcomponents including, but not limited to, the system memory 206 to theprocessing unit 204. The processing unit 204 can be any of variouscommercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and othermulti-processor architectures can also be employed as the processingunit 204.

The system bus 208 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 206 includesread-only memory (ROM) 227 and random access memory (RAM) 212. A basicinput/output system (BIOS) is stored in a non-volatile memory 227 suchas ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that helpto transfer information between elements within the computing entity200, such as during start-up. The RAM 212 can also include a high-speedRAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computing entity 200 further includes an internal hard disk drive(HDD) 214 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 214 canalso be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 216, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 218) and an optical disk drive 220, (e.g., reading aCD-ROM disk 222 or, to read from or write to other high capacity opticalmedia such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 214, magnetic disk drive 216and optical disk drive 220 can be connected to the system bus 208 by ahard disk drive interface 224, a magnetic disk drive interface 226 andan optical drive interface 228, respectively. The interface 224 forexternal drive implementations includes at least one or both ofUniversal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 interface technologies. Otherexternal drive connection technologies are within contemplation of thesubject embodiments.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computing entity 200 the drives andmedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to aHDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media suchas a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other types of media which are readable by a computing entity 200,such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges,and the like, can also be used in the example operating environment, andfurther, that any such media can contain computer-executableinstructions for performing the methods of the disclosed embodiments.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 212,including an operating system 230, one or more application programs 232,other program modules 234 and program data 236. All or portions of theoperating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cachedin the RAM 212. It is to be appreciated that the various embodiments canbe implemented with various commercially available operating systems orcombinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computing entity 200through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 238and a pointing device, such as a mouse 240. Other input devices (notshown) may include a microphone, an IR remote control, a joystick, agame pad, a stylus pen, touch screen, or the like. These and other inputdevices are often connected to the processing unit 204 through an inputdevice interface 242 that is coupled to the system bus 208, but can beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 244 or other type of display device is also connected to thesystem bus 208 through an interface, such as a video adapter 246. Inaddition to the monitor 244, a computing entity 200 typically includesother peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers,etc.

The computing entity 200 can operate in a networked environment usinglogical connections by wired and/or wireless communications to one ormore remote computing entities, such as a remote computing entity 248.The remote computing entity 248 can be a workstation, a server computer,a router, a personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-basedentertainment device, a peer device or other common network node, andtypically includes many or all of the elements described relative to thecomputer, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storagedevice 250 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted includewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 252 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 254. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich may connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet. In some embodiments, a controller area network (CAN) interface(not shown) may additionally or alternatively facilitate wired orwireless communication between devices via associated microcontrollersand may perform one or more functionalities, operations, and/or the likeassociated with the LAN 252 and/or WAN 254.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computing entity 200 isconnected to the local network 252 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 256. The adapter 256 mayfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 252, which mayalso include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicatingwith the wireless adapter 256.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computing entity 200 caninclude a modem 258, or is connected to a communications server on theWAN 254, or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN254, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 258, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to thesystem bus 208 through the input device interface 242. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer, orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 250.It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplaryand other means of establishing a communications link between thecomputers can be used.

The computing entity is operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi andBluetooth™ wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be apredefined structure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a basestation. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE802.11 (a, b,g, n, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. AWi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to theInternet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Finetworks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11Mbps (802.11b) or 54 Mbps (802.11a) data rate, for example, or withproducts that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks canprovide real-world performance similar to the basic “10BaseT” wiredEthernet networks used in many offices.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures suchas, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhanceperformance of user equipment. A processor also can be implemented as acombination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “data store,” “datastorage,” “database,” “repository,” “queue”, and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory. In addition, memory components or memory elementscan be removable or stationary. Moreover, memory can be internal orexternal to a device or component, or removable or stationary. Memorycan comprise various types of media that are readable by a computer,such as hard-disc drives, zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards or other types of memory cards, cartridges, or the like.

By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory cancomprise read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flashmemory. Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), whichacts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), anddirect Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory componentsof systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without beinglimited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

In particular and in regard to the various functions performed by theabove described components, devices, circuits, systems and the like, theterms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., a functional equivalent), even though not structurallyequivalent to the disclosed structure, which performs the function inthe herein illustrated example aspects of the embodiments. In thisregard, it will also be recognized that the embodiments comprise asystem as well as a computer-readable medium having computer-executableinstructions for performing the acts and/or events of the variousmethods.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, solid state drive (SSD) or other solid-state storagetechnology, compact disk read only memory (CD ROM), digital versatiledisk (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory media which canbe used to store desired information.

In this regard, the terms “tangible” or “non-transitory” herein asapplied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, are to beunderstood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se asmodifiers and do not relinquish rights to all standard storage, memoryor computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitorysignals per se. Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by oneor more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests,queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of operationswith respect to the information stored by the medium.

On the other hand, communications media typically embodycomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother structured or unstructured data in a data signal such as amodulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and comprises any information delivery or transport media.The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in one or more signals. By way of example, and notlimitation, communications media comprise wired media, such as a wirednetwork or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic,RF, infrared and other wireless media

Further, terms like “user equipment,” “user device,” “mobile device,”“mobile,” station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” andsimilar terminology, generally refer to a wireless device utilized by asubscriber or user of a wireless communication network or service toreceive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming, orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing termsare utilized interchangeably in the subject specification and relateddrawings. Likewise, the terms “access point,” “node B,” “base station,”“evolved Node B,” “cell,” “cell site,” and the like, can be utilizedinterchangeably in the subject application, and refer to a wirelessnetwork component or appliance that serves and receives data, control,voice, video, sound, gaming, or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream from a set of subscriber stations. Data and signalingstreams can be packetized or frame-based flows. It is noted that in thesubject specification and drawings, context or explicit distinctionprovides differentiation with respect to access points or base stationsthat serve and receive data from a mobile device in an outdoorenvironment, and access points or base stations that operate in aconfined, primarily indoor environment overlaid in an outdoor coveragearea. Data and signaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented invarious ways, including as computer program products that comprisearticles of manufacture. Such computer program products may include oneor more software components including, for example, software objects,methods, data structures, or the like. A software component may be codedin any of a variety of programming languages. An illustrativeprogramming language may be a lower-level programming language such asan assembly language associated with a particular hardware frameworkand/or operating system platform. A software component comprisingassembly language instructions may require conversion into executablemachine code by an assembler prior to execution by the hardwareframework and/or platform. Another example programming language may be ahigher-level programming language that may be portable across multipleframeworks. A software component comprising higher-level programminglanguage instructions may require conversion to an intermediaterepresentation by an interpreter or a compiler prior to execution.

Other examples of programming languages include, but are not limited to,a macro language, a shell or command language, a job control language, ascript language, a database query or search language, and/or a reportwriting language. In one or more example embodiments, a softwarecomponent comprising instructions in one of the foregoing examples ofprogramming languages may be executed directly by an operating system orother software component without having to be first transformed intoanother form. A software component may be stored as a file or other datastorage construct. Software components of a similar type or functionallyrelated may be stored together such as, for example, in a particulardirectory, folder, or library. Software components may be static (e.g.,pre-established or fixed) or dynamic (e.g., created or modified at thetime of execution).

A computer program product may include non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium storing applications, programs, program modules, scripts,source code, program code, object code, byte code, compiled code,interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, and/or the like(also referred to herein as executable instructions, instructions forexecution, computer program products, program code, and/or similar termsused herein interchangeably). Such non-transitory computer-readablestorage media include all computer-readable media (including volatileand non-volatile media).

In one embodiment, a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium mayinclude a floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, solid-state storage(SSS) (e.g., a solid state drive (SSD), solid state card (SSC), solidstate module (SSM), enterprise flash drive, magnetic tape, or any othernon-transitory magnetic medium, and/or the like. A non-volatilecomputer-readable storage medium may also include a punch card, papertape, optical mark sheet (or any other physical medium with patterns ofholes or other optically recognizable indicia), compact disc read onlymemory (CD-ROM), compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW), digital versatile disc(DVD), Blu-ray disc (BD), any other non-transitory optical medium,and/or the like. Such a non-volatile computer-readable storage mediummay also include read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory(PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory (e.g.,Serial, NAND, NOR, and/or the like), multimedia memory cards (MMC),secure digital (SD) memory cards, SmartMedia cards, CompactFlash (CF)cards, Memory Sticks, and/or the like. Further, a non-volatilecomputer-readable storage medium may also include conductive-bridgingrandom access memory (CBRAM), phase-change random access memory (PRAM),ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM), non-volatile random-accessmemory (NVRAM), magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM), resistiverandom-access memory (RRAM), Silicon-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon memory(SONOS), floating junction gate random access memory (FJG RAM),Millipede memory, racetrack memory, and/or the like.

In one embodiment, a volatile computer-readable storage medium mayinclude random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM),static random access memory (SRAM), fast page mode dynamic random accessmemory (FPM DRAM), extended data-out dynamic random access memory (EDODRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double datarate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), double datarate type two synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR2 SDRAM),double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory(DDR3 SDRAM), Rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM), TwinTransistor RAM (TTRAM), Thyristor RAM (T-RAM), Zero-capacitor (Z-RAM),Rambus in-line memory module (RIMM), dual in-line memory module (DIMM),single in-line memory module (SIMM), video random access memory (VRAM),cache memory (including various levels), flash memory, register memory,and/or the like. It will be appreciated that where embodiments aredescribed to use a computer-readable storage medium, other types ofcomputer-readable storage media may be substituted for or used inaddition to the computer-readable storage media described above.

As should be appreciated, various embodiments of the present inventionmay also be implemented as methods, apparatuses, systems, computingdevices, computing entities, and/or the like. As such, embodiments ofthe present invention may take the form of an apparatus, system,computing device, computing entity, and/or the like executinginstructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium to performcertain steps or operations. Thus, embodiments of the present inventionmay also take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirelycomputer program product embodiment, and/or an embodiment that comprisescombination of computer program products and hardware performing certainsteps or operations.

FIG. 3 provides an illustrative schematic representative of computingentity 300 that can be used in conjunction with embodiments of thepresent invention. In some embodiments the computing entity 300 is acomputing entity operated by or in conjunction with the object 101. Insome embodiments, the computing entity 300 is a computing entity onboardobject 101. In general, the terms device, system, computing entity,entity, and/or similar words used herein interchangeably may refer to,for example, one or more computers, computing entities, desktops, mobilephones, tablets, phablets, notebooks, laptops, distributed systems,kiosks, input terminals, servers or server networks, blades, gateways,switches, processing devices, processing entities, set-top boxes,relays, routers, network access points, base stations, the like, and/orany combination of devices or entities adapted to perform the functions,steps/operations, and/or processes described herein. The computingentity 300 can be operated by various parties. As shown in FIG. 3 , thecomputing entity 300 can include one or more transmitters 304 (e.g.,radio), one or more receivers 306 (e.g., radio), and a processor 308(e.g., CPLDs, microprocessors, multi-core processors, coprocessingentities, ASIPs, microcontrollers, and/or controllers) that providessignals to and receives signals from the one or more transmitters 304and one or more receivers 306, correspondingly.

The signals provided to and received from the one or more transmitters304 and the one or more receivers 306, correspondingly, may includesignaling information/data in accordance with air interface standards ofapplicable wireless systems. In this regard, the computing entity 300may be capable of operating with one or more air interface standards,communication protocols, modulation types, and access types. Moreparticularly, the computing entity 300 may operate in accordance withany of a number of wireless communication standards and protocols, suchas those described above with regard to the computing entity 200. In aparticular embodiment, the computing entity 300 may operate inaccordance with multiple wireless communication standards and protocols,such as UMTS, CDMA2000, 1xRTT, WCDMA, GSM, EDGE, TD-SCDMA, LTE, E-UTRAN,EVDO, HSPA, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, WiMAX, UWB, IR, NFC, Bluetooth,USB, and/or the like. Similarly, the computing entity 300 may operate inaccordance with multiple wired communication standards and protocols,such as those described above with regard to the computing entity 200via a network interface 320.

Via these communication standards and protocols, the computing entity300 can communicate with various other entities using concepts such asUnstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), Short Message Service(SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Dual-Tone Multi-FrequencySignaling (DTMF), and/or Subscriber Identity Module Dialer (SIM dialer).The computing entity 300 can also download changes, add-ons, andupdates, for instance, to its firmware, software (e.g., includingexecutable instructions, applications, program modules), and operatingsystem.

According to one embodiment, the computing entity 300 may includelocation determining aspects, devices, modules, functionalities, and/orsimilar words used herein interchangeably. For example, the computingentity 300 may include outdoor positioning aspects, such as a locationmodule adapted to acquire, for example, latitude, longitude, altitude,geocode, course, direction, heading, speed, universal time (UTC), date,and/or various other information/data. In one embodiment, the locationmodule can acquire data, sometimes known as ephemeris data, byidentifying the number of satellites in view and the relative positionsof those satellites (e.g., using global positioning systems (GPS)). Thesatellites may be a variety of different satellites, including Low EarthOrbit (LEO) satellite systems, Department of Defense (DOD) satellitesystems, the European Union Galileo positioning systems, the ChineseCompass navigation systems, Indian Regional Navigational satellitesystems, and/or the like. This data can be collected using a variety ofcoordinate systems, such as the Decimal Degrees (DD); Degrees, Minutes,Seconds (DMS); Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM); Universal PolarStereographic (UPS) coordinate systems; and/or the like. Alternatively,the location information/data can be determined by triangulating thecomputing entity 300 position in connection with a variety of othersystems, including cellular towers, Wi-Fi access points, and/or thelike. Similarly, the computing entity 300 may include indoor positioningaspects, such as a location module adapted to acquire, for example,latitude, longitude, altitude, geocode, course, direction, heading,speed, time, date, and/or various other information/data. Some of theindoor systems may use various position or location technologiesincluding RFID tags, indoor beacons or transmitters, Wi-Fi accesspoints, cellular towers, nearby computing devices (e.g., smartphones,laptops) and/or the like. For instance, such technologies may includethe iBeacons, Gimbal proximity beacons, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)transmitters, NFC transmitters, and/or the like. These indoorpositioning aspects can be used in a variety of settings to determinethe location of someone or something to within inches or centimeters.

The computing entity 300 can also include an inertial measurement unit350 configured to measure changes in position and/or orientation of thecomputing entity 300. In some embodiments, the inertial measurement unit350 comprises one or more gyroscope 352, one or more accelerometers 354,and/or one or more magnetometers 356. The one or more gyroscopes 352 mayinclude electromechanical devices for measuring angular velocity withrespect to an x-axis, y-axis, and/or z-axis. The one or moreaccelerometers 354 may include electromechanical devices for measuringacceleration forces in an x-axis, y-axis, and/or z-axis with respect toa computing entity, such as computing entity 300. The one or moremagnetometers may include electromechanical devices for measuringmagnetic forces with respect to the x-axis, y-axis, and/or z-axis.

The computing entity 300 can also include volatile storage or memory 322and/or non-volatile storage or memory 324, which can be embedded and/ormay be removable. For example, the non-volatile memory may be ROM, PROM,EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMCs, SD memory cards, Memory Sticks,CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, NVRAM, MRAM, RRAM, SONOS, FJG RAM, Millipede memory,racetrack memory, and/or the like. The volatile memory may be RAM, DRAM,SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM,RDRAM, TTRAM, T-RAM, Z-RAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory,register memory, and/or the like. The volatile and non-volatile storageor memory can store databases, database instances, database managementsystems, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, sourcecode, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machinecode, executable instructions, and/or the like to implement thefunctions of the computing entity 300. As indicated, this may include auser application that is resident on the entity or accessible through abrowser or other user interface for communicating with the computingentity 200 and/or various other computing entities.

In another embodiment, the computing entity 300 may include one or morecomponents or functionality that are the same or similar to those of thecomputing entity 200, as described in greater detail above. As will berecognized, these frameworks and descriptions are provided for exemplarypurposes only and are not limiting to the various embodiments.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with referenceto block diagrams and flowchart illustrations. Thus, it should beunderstood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations may be implemented in the form of a computer programproduct, an entirely hardware embodiment, a combination of hardware andcomputer program products, and/or apparatuses, systems, computingdevices, computing entities, and/or the like carrying out instructions,operations, steps, and similar words used interchangeably (e.g., theexecutable instructions, instructions for execution, program code,and/or the like) on a computer-readable storage medium for execution.For example, retrieval, loading, and execution of code may be performedsequentially such that one instruction is retrieved, loaded, andexecuted at a time. In some exemplary embodiments, retrieval, loading,and/or execution may be performed in parallel such that multipleinstructions are retrieved, loaded, and/or executed together. Thus, suchembodiments can produce specifically-configured machines performing thesteps or operations specified in the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations. Accordingly, the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations support various combinations of embodiments for performingthe specified instructions, operations, or steps.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram of an example process 400 forautomatically tracking a heading for an object using a computing entity,such as computing entity 200 (e.g. object heading determination systemcomputing entity). In some embodiments, the object heading determinationsystem computing entity 200 may be associated with the object configuredto determine the heading of the object in real-time or near real-time.In some embodiments, the object heading determination system computingentity 200 may be a cloud-based positioning computing entity that mayoperate in a cloud computing environment. Via the varioussteps/operations of the process 400, one or more estimated headingvalues may be determined for an object, such as object 101, such thatthe heading pertaining to the object may be accurately determined inreal-time or near real-time.

The process 400 begins at step/operation 401 in which the object headingdetermination system computing entity 200, may include means such as theprocessing unit 204, network adaptor 265, input device interface 242,system memory 206, or the like, for receiving one or more internalmeasurement values for an object, such as object 101, via a networkinterface. The one or more internal measurement values may be determinedusing an inertial measurement unit, such as IMU 350, that is associatedwith the object 101. In some embodiments, the computing entity 200 mayreceive the one or more internal measurement values from a computingentity 300 associated with the object 101.

Each internal measurement value of the one or more internal measurementvalues may be associated with a particular time point. As such, theinternal measurement values for the object may be determined inchronological order. From the one or more internal measurement values,one or more inference measurements pertaining to the object can be made.For example, the direction of travel, speed, elevation, and/or the likeof the object may be determined based at least in part on the one ormore internal measurements.

In some embodiments, the initially received internal measurement valuescorresponding to a first time point may be initialization internalmeasurement values. For example, the initialization internal measurementvalues may correspond to values which describe an initial position,orientation, and/or the like of the object. For example, a gyroscope ofan object IMU may measure internal measurements values (10, 15, 20),indicative of 10 degrees rotation with respect to a reference x-axis, 15degrees rotation with respect to a reference y-axis, and 20 degreesrotation with respect to a reference z-axis. As such, the initialinternal measurement values may be received by the object headingdetermination system computing entity 200 and initialized as the initialinternal measurement values. In some embodiments, the initializationinternal measurement values may be initialized to 0 such that changes inorientation and or position of the object relative to an initialstarting location may be monitored.

At step/operation 402, the computing entity 200 (e.g. object headingdetermination system computing entity), may include means such as theprocessing unit 204, network adaptor 265, input device interface 242,system memory 206, or the like, for determining an internal measurementuncertainty value for each internal measurement value. The IMU, such asIMU 350, which measures and provides the one or more internalmeasurement values may have one or more associated accuracy ranges foreach component of the IMU 350. Further these accuracy ranges may varybetween IMUs and their respective components. The accuracy range of theIMU 350 may be based at least in part on the one or more components ofthe IMU 350, including the gyroscope 352, accelerometer 354, andmagnetometer 356. The accuracy range may be indicative of the maximumaccuracy capable of being determined by the respective components of theIMU 350. For example, a gyroscope 352 of the IMU 350 may have anassociated accuracy range of 0.2 degrees, indicative that measurementsprovided by the gyroscope 352 are accurate within 0.2 degrees above andbelow (+/−2 degrees) of the measurement.

In some embodiments, the IMU 350 and/or the one or more components ofthe IMU 350 including the gyroscope 352, accelerometer 354, and/ormagnetometer 356 may each be associated with a component identifier,which uniquely identifies the particular component and/or componenttype, brand, etc. from other components. For example, a componentidentifier for a gyroscope may identify an individual gyroscope.Additionally or alternatively, a component identifier may identify abrand and model associated with the individual gyroscope such thatgyroscopes of the same type are associated with the same componentidentifier. The one or more component identifiers may be received by theobject heading determination system computing entity 200. The one ormore component identifiers may be received before, during, or afterreceiving the object heading determination system computing entity 200receives the one or more internal measurement values.

In some embodiments, the object heading determination system computingentity 200 may determine the internal measurement uncertainty values foreach internal measurement value based at least in part on the one ormore received component identifiers. For example, in some embodiments,the object heading determination system computing entity 200 may beconfigured with an internal measurement uncertainty value look-up tablestored in an associated memory, such as system memory 206. The internalmeasurement uncertainty value look-up table may provide the one or moreinternal measurement uncertainty values for each component identifier.As such, the object heading determination system computing entity 200may query the internal measurement uncertainty value look-up table usingthe one or more received component identifiers to determine one or moreinternal measurement uncertainty values.

Additionally or alternatively, the one or more internal measurementvalues may be based at least in part on a time duration between timeduration between two or more internal measurement values. For example,if a time duration between two internal measurement values is short butthe change between the two internal measurement value changesdrastically, the internal measurement uncertainty value may bedetermined to be large. This large change between internal measurementvalues may indicate the particular IMU is inaccurate and shouldtherefore the internal measurement values measured by the IMU shouldhave a larger uncertainty value.

At step/operation 403, the computing entity 200 (e.g. object headingdetermination system computing entity), may include means such as theprocessing unit 204, system memory 206, or the like to generate anestimated heading data object using a probabilistic heading model. Theprobabilistic heading model may be configured to process at least theone or more internal measurement values to generate the estimatedheading data object. The estimated heading data object may describe oneor more estimated heading values for the object. In some embodiments,the one or more estimated heading values may include one or more currentcoordinates, one or more estimated coordinates predicted for one or morefuture times, a heading direction, and/or the like which pertain to theobject.

The current coordinates and/or estimated coordinates may be coordinatesof any sufficient form. For example, the coordinates may be x, y, and/orz coordinates which are relative to a particular reference point. Theparticular reference point may be any sufficient reference point such asa particular facility, object, environmental feature, sea level, and/orthe like. As another example, the coordinates may be absolutelatitudinal and/or longitudinal coordinates and/or an elevation valueindicative of the height of an object in regard to a reference point.

In some embodiments, the probabilistic heading model employs Kalmanfiltering (i.e. linear quadratic estimation (LQE)) processing techniquesto generate the estimated heading data object. The probabilistic headingmodel may process the one or more internal measurement values togenerate the one or more estimated heading values. In some embodiments,the probabilistic heading model also processes the one or moredetermined internal measurement uncertainty values for each internalmeasurement. The one or more internal measurement uncertainty values maybe indicative of the degree to weight the internal measurement value.For example, an internal measurement value with a high internalmeasurement uncertainty value may be weighted less as compared to aninternal measurement value with a low internal measurement uncertaintyvalue.

In some embodiments, the probabilistic heading model may also generatean estimated heading confidence value for each of the one or moreestimated heading values for the object. The estimated headingconfidence value may be based at least in part on the one or moreinternal measurement uncertainty values for each internal measurementvalue. In some embodiments, the estimated heading confidence value mayalso be based at least in part on one or more satellite navigationlocation uncertainty values for one or more satellite navigationlocation values and/or one or more locator location uncertainty valuesfor one or more locator location values, which will be further discussedbelow with reference to FIGS. 5-6 .

In some embodiments, the object heading determination system computingentity 200 may be configured to determine whether an estimated headingconfidence value for an estimated heading value satisfies one or moreestimated heading threshold values. The one or more estimated headingthreshold values may be a set of one or more values indicative of anacceptable confidence value for an estimated heading value. In aninstance one or more estimated heading values fail to satisfy the one ormore estimated heading threshold values, an error event may be detectedby object heading determination system computing entity 200. In responseto detection of an error event, the object heading determination systemcomputing entity 200 may generate a heading error data object. Theheading error data object may be indicative that the one or moreestimated heading values fail to satisfy the one or more estimatedheading threshold values. The heading error data object may be providedto one or more associated user devices. As such, one or more end usersassociated with the one or more user devices may be informed that theestimated heading confidence value is out of range of an acceptableestimated heading confidence value as indicated by the estimated headingthreshold value.

In some embodiments, the object heading determination system computingentity 200 may be configured to receive the one or more internalmeasurement values as well as one or more satellite navigation locationvalues for the object and/or one or more locator location values for theobject. The one or more satellite navigation location values for theobject and/or one or more locator location values for the object may beused to improve the accuracy the tracked heading of the object. Forexample, an initial satellite navigation location value may be used toinitialize a starting position for an object and the one or moreinternal measurement values which pertain to the object may be used todetermine at least to generate the estimated heading data object. Theobject heading determination system computing entity 200 may receiveperiodic, semi-periodic, and/or on-demand satellite navigation locationvalues for the object when pertinent and/or available. Additionally oralternatively, the object heading determination system computing entity200 may receive one or more locator location values, such as from one ormore locator units, when available. As such, the object headingdetermination system computing entity 200 may use the received one ormore satellite navigation location values and/or one or more locatorlocation values in addition to the one or more internal measurementvalues to generate the estimated heading data object. Receipt of the oneor more satellite navigation location values and one or more locatorlocation values will be described in more detail in FIGS. 5 and 6 ,respectively.

In some embodiments, step/operation 401, step/operation 402, and/orstep/operation 403 may be performed in accordance with the varioussteps/operations of the process 500 that depicted in FIG. 5 , which is aflowchart diagram of an example process for receiving one or moresatellite navigation system location values. In some embodiments, theone or more satellite navigation system location values are receivedbefore, simultaneously with, or after the one or more internalmeasurement values.

At step/operation 501, the computing entity 200 (e.g., object headingdetermination system computing entity), may include means such as theprocessing unit 204, network adaptor 265, input device interface 242,system memory 206, or the like, for receiving one or more satellitenavigation location values for an object, such as object 101, via anetwork interface. The one or more satellite navigation location valuesmay be determined based at least in part on one or more satellitenavigation signals received by the object from one or more satellites.The one or more satellite navigation signals may be received by theobject using one or more receivers 306 and may be provided to the objectheading determination system computing entity 200 via network interface320.

Each satellite navigation location value of the one or more satellitenavigation location values may be associated with a particular timepoint. As such, the satellite navigation location values for the objectmay be determined in chronological order. From the one or more satellitenavigation location values, one or more inference measurementspertaining to the object can be made. For example, the location,direction of travel, speed, and/or the like of the object may bedetermined based at least in part on the one or more satellitenavigation location values.

In some embodiments, the initially received satellite navigationlocation values corresponding to a first time point may beinitialization satellite navigation location values. For example, thesatellite navigation location values corresponding to a first time pointmay be the initial location of the object. As such, these initialsatellite navigation location values may be received by the objectheading determination system computing entity 200 and initialized as theinitial satellite navigation location values. In some embodiments, theinitial satellite navigation location values may be used as the initiallocation of the object.

At step/operation 502, the computing entity 200 (e.g., object headingdetermination system computing entity), may include means such as theprocessing unit 204, network adaptor 265, input device interface 242,system memory 206, or the like, for determining a satellite navigationlocation uncertainty value for each satellite navigation location value.In some embodiments, the object heading determination system computingentity 200 may determine a satellite navigation location uncertaintyvalue based at least in part on a time duration between two or satellitenavigation location values, an initial location of the object, thegeographic region pertaining to the location of the object, the one ormore internal measurement values pertaining to the object, and/or thelike. Particular geographic regions, such as dense areas or areas withtall buildings, may reduce the accuracy of satellite navigation locationvalue. For example, the satellite signal may be blocked due to anenvironmental object or may be reflected off an environmental object,leading to multipath errors. As such, the satellite navigation locationuncertainty value for objects within such environments may be higher toindicate the increased variability of satellite navigation signals.Additionally, the satellite navigation location uncertainty value may bebased at least in part on a time duration between time duration betweentwo or more satellite navigation location values. For example, if a timeduration between two satellite navigation location values is short butthe change between the satellite navigation location value changes by asufficient threshold amount, the satellite navigation locationuncertainty value may be increased due to the unlikelihood of such alarge change occurring within a short time period.

At step/operation 503, the computing entity 200 (e.g. object headingdetermination system computing entity), may include means such as theprocessing unit 204, system memory 206, or the like to generate anestimated heading data object using a probabilistic heading model. Theprobabilistic heading model may be configured to process at least theone or more internal measurement values and the one or more satellitenavigation location values for the object to generate the estimatedheading data object. In some embodiments, the probabilistic headingmodel may process the one or more internal measurement values and theone or more satellite navigation location values to generate one or moreestimated heading values. In some embodiments, the probabilistic headingmodel also processes the one or more determined internal measurementuncertainty values for each internal measurement and the one or moresatellite navigation location uncertainty values for each satellitenavigation location value. The one or more internal measurementuncertainty values and satellite navigation location value may beindicative of the degree to weight the internal measurement value andsatellite location value.

In some embodiments, the time duration between two or more internalmeasurement values and/or two or more satellite navigation locationvalues may be determined and used in part by the probabilistic headingmodel to generate the estimated heading data object. For example, ashorter duration between the two or more internal measurement values maybe indicative that the internal measurements values should be weightedmore heavily than the satellite navigation location values. The timeduration between two or more internal measurement values and/or two ormore satellite navigation location values may be used in tandem with theinternal measurement uncertainty value for each internal measurementvalue and the satellite navigation location uncertainty value for eachsatellite navigation location value to determine one or more estimatedheading values.

In some embodiments, step/operation 401, step/operation 402, and/orstep/operation 403 may be performed in accordance with the varioussteps/operations of the process 600 that depicted in FIG. 6 , which is aflowchart diagram of an example process for receiving one or morelocator location values. In some embodiments, the one or more locatorlocation values are received before, simultaneously with, or after theone or more internal measurement values and/or satellite navigationlocation values.

At step/operation 601, the computing entity 200 (e.g., object headingdetermination system computing entity), may include means such as theprocessing unit 204, network adaptor 265, input device interface 242, orthe like, for receiving one or more locator location values for theobject. The one or more locator location values may be determined usingone or more locator units, such as locator units 115 a and/or 115 b. Insome embodiments, the object heading determination system computingentity 200 may receive the one or more locator location values from theone or more locator units.

The object heading determination system computing entity 200 may beconfigured with the known locations and proximity range for each locatorunit such that the area within the proximity range of the locator unitis known. In an event the locator unit 115 a and/or 115 b detects anobject 101, such as via a transmitted and/or received signal, the objectheading determination system computing entity 200 may receive one ormore locator location values detected by a particular locator unit. Theobject heading determination system computing entity 200 may alsoreceive a locator unit identifier for the one or more locator locationvalues such that the object heading determination system computingentity 200 is able to determine the particular locator unit whichdetected the object. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways, suchas by using a locator unit look-up table configured to determine thelocation and proximity range for a locator unit using the locator unitidentifier.

In some embodiments, the one or more locator location values may beindicative that the object was detected within the proximity of thelocator unit. In some embodiments, the one or more locator locationvalues may be further indicative of a particular heading, elevation,distance from the locator unit, and/or the like for the detected object.Each locator location value of the one or more locator location valuesmay be associated with a particular time point.

In some embodiments, the object heading determination system computingentity 200 may determine the one or more internal measurementuncertainty values and/or one or more satellite navigation locationuncertainty values based at least in part on the one or more locatorlocation values for the object. For example, a locator location valuefor an object at a particular time point may coincide or be within atime range of one or more internal measurement values and/or one or moresatellite navigation location values. As such, the object headingdetermination system computing entity 200 may compare the one or moreinternal measurement values and/or one or more satellite navigationlocation values to the one or more locator location values and adjustthe one or more internal measurement uncertainty value and/or one ormore satellite navigation location uncertainty value accordingly. Forexample, if the object heading determination system computing entity 200receives a locator location value from a locator unit and a satellitenavigation location value indicative of a location that is not within aproximity range of a locator unit, the object heading determinationsystem computing entity may increase the associated satellite navigationlocation uncertainty value to reflect such a discrepancy.

At step/operation 602, the computing entity 200, may include means suchas the processing unit 204, network adaptor 265, input device interface242, system memory 206, or the like, for determining a locator locationuncertainty value for each locator location value. In some embodiments,the object heading determination system computing entity 200 maydetermine a locator location uncertainty value based at least in part ona locator unit which detected the object. For example, in someembodiments, the object heading determination system computing entity200 may be configured with a locator unit look-up table stored in anassociated memory, such as system memory 206. The locator unit look-uptable may provide the one or more locator location uncertainty valuesfor the one or more locator location values detected by a particularlocator unit. As such, the object heading determination system computingentity 200 may query the locator unit look-up table using the one ormore received locator unit identifier to determine one or more locatorlocation uncertainty values.

At step/operation 603, the computing entity 200, may include means suchas the processing unit 204, system memory 206, or the like to generatean estimated heading data object using a probabilistic heading model.The probabilistic heading model may be configured to process at leastthe one or more internal measurement values and the one or more locatorlocation values to generate the estimated heading data object. In someembodiments, the probabilistic heading model may be configured toprocess the one or more satellite navigation location values. In someembodiments, the probabilistic heading model may process the one or moreinternal measurement values and the one or more locator location valuesto generate one or more estimated heading values. In some embodiments,the probabilistic heading model also processes the one or moredetermined internal measurement uncertainty values for each internalmeasurement and the one or more locator location uncertainty values foreach locator location value. In some embodiments, the one or moresatellite navigation location uncertainty values for each satellitenavigation location value are also considered. The one or more internalmeasurement uncertainty values and locator location value may beindicative of the degree to weight the internal measurement values andlocator location values.

At step/operation 404, the computing entity 200 (e.g. object headingdetermination system computing entity), may include means such as theprocessing unit 204, network adaptor 265, input device interface 242, orthe like, for providing the estimated heading data object to one or moreassociated user devices. The one or more associated user devices may bepredefined in an associated system memory 206 of the computing entity200. In some embodiments, the one or more associated user devicescorrespond to one or more end users tasked with performing one or moreobject tracking tasks for object 101. For example, the one or moreassociated user devices may determine a current heading for an objectand compare the current heading to a desired heading. In an instancewhere the current heading and the desired heading are not within apredefined threshold, the one or more associated user devices mayperform one or more corrective actions. For example, the one or moreassociated user devices may generate and provide an alert to an onboardcomputing device of the object such that an end user operating theobject is alerted that the object heading needs correction. As anotherexample, in a case the object is an autonomously operated object, suchas an autonomous vehicle, the onboard computing device of the object maybe provided with updated instructions to correct the heading to thedesired heading. The one or more corrective actions may also includecomparison between one or more other object attributes, such as acurrent speed and desired speed. Similarly, the object headingdetermination system computing entity 200 may provide the onboardcomputing device of the object with updated instructions to correct oneor more other object attributes.

In some embodiments, the generated estimated heading data object may bestored in in an associated memory, such as system memory 206 of theobject heading determination system computing entity 200. As such,historical estimated heading data objects pertaining to the object 101may be made available and used for a variety of tasks, such as forimproving the accuracy of the probabilistic heading model.

The above descriptions of various embodiments of the subject disclosureand corresponding figures and what is described in the Abstract, aredescribed herein for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise formsdisclosed. It is to be understood that one of ordinary skill in the artmay recognize that other embodiments having modifications, permutations,combinations, and additions can be implemented for performing the same,similar, alternative, or substitute functions of the disclosed subjectmatter, and are therefore considered within the scope of thisdisclosure. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not belimited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should beconstrued in breadth and scope in accordance with the claims below.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method for automatically tracking aheading of an object, the method comprising: receiving, using one ormore processors, one or more internal measurement values which pertainto the object, wherein the one or more internal measurement values aremeasured by an inertial measurement unit associated with the object;generating, using the one or more processors and a probabilistic headingmodel, an estimated heading data object for the object based at least inpart on the one or more internal measurement values, wherein theestimated heading data object describes one or more estimated headingvalues for the object; and providing, using the one or more processors,the estimated heading data object to one or more associated userdevices.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the estimatedheading data object further comprises: receiving, using the one or moreprocessors, one or more satellite navigation location values for theobject, wherein generating the estimated heading data object for theobject is based at least in part on the one or more internal measurementvalues and the one or more satellite navigation location values.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the estimated heading data object furtherdescribes one or more estimated location uncertainty values for one ormore of the one or more estimated heading values.
 4. The method of claim1, further comprising: detecting, using the one or more processors, anerror event; and in response to the detection of the error event,generating, using the one or more processors, a heading error dataobject.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the error event is detected inresponse to a determination that the estimated heading data object failsto satisfy one or more estimated heading threshold values.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein generating the estimated heading data object furthercomprises: receiving, from one or more locator units, one or morelocator location values for the object, wherein generating the estimatedheading data object for the object is based at least in part on the oneor more internal measurement values and the one or more locator locationvalues.
 7. An apparatus for automatically tracking a heading of anobject, the apparatus comprising at least one processing componentconfigured to: receive one or more internal measurement values whichpertain to the object, wherein the one or more internal measurementvalues are measured by an inertial measurement unit associated with theobject; generate, using a probabilistic heading model, an estimatedheading data object for the object based at least in part on the one ormore internal measurement values, wherein the estimated heading dataobject describes one or more estimated heading values for the object;and provide, using the at least one processing component, the estimatedheading data object to one or more associated user devices.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein during generation of the estimated headingdata object, the at least one processing component is further configuredto: receive one or more satellite navigation location values for theobject, wherein generating the estimated heading data object for theobject is based at least in part on the one or more internal measurementvalues and the one or more satellite navigation location values.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the estimated heading data object furtherdescribes one or more estimated location uncertainty values for one ormore of the one or more estimated heading values.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the at least one processing component is furtherconfigured to: detect an error event; and in response to the detectionof the error event, generate a heading error data object.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the error event is detected in responseto a determination that the estimated heading data object fails tosatisfy the one or more estimated heading values.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein during generation of the estimated heading data object,the at least one processing component is further configured to: receive,from one or more locator units, one or more locator location values forthe object, wherein generating the estimated heading data object for theobject is based at least in part on the one or more internal measurementvalues and the one or more locator location values.
 13. A computerprogram product configured for automatically tracking a heading of anobject, the computer program product comprising at least onenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readableprogram code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program codeportions configured, upon execution, to: receive one or more internalmeasurement values which pertain to the object, wherein the one or moreinternal measurement values are measured by an inertial measurement unitassociated with the object; generate, using a probabilistic headingmodel, an estimated heading data object for the object based at least inpart on the one or more internal measurement values, wherein theestimated heading data object describes one or more estimated headingvalues for the object; and provide the estimated heading data object toone or more associated user devices.
 14. The computer program product ofclaim 13, wherein during generation of the estimated heading dataobject, the computer-readable program code portions are furtherconfigured, upon execution, to: receive one or more satellite navigationlocation values for the object, wherein generating the estimated headingdata object for the object is based at least in part on the one or moreinternal measurement values and the one or more satellite navigationlocation values.
 15. The computer program product of claim 13, whereinthe computer-readable program code portions are further configured, uponexecution, to: detect an error event; and in response to the detectionof the error event, generate a heading error data object.
 16. Thecomputer program product of claim 13, wherein during generation of theestimated heading data object, the computer-readable program codeportions are further configured, upon execution, to: receive, from oneor more locator units, one or more locator location values for theobject, wherein generating the estimated heading data object for theobject is based at least in part on the one or more internal measurementvalues and the one or more locator location values.